Learning Connection
While studying in Australia on a Student Visa you may have questions about visa conditions attached to your visa. This information site provides answers to frequently asked questions about visa rules and regulations. From this webpage you can also access other visa related sources of information.
Some addresses you will find useful are:
You must have a valid passport and student visa. This will allow you multiple entries into Australia
It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport and student visa have not expired. You MUST:
For information on your - Passport: Contact your High Commission or Embassy. Please refer to the Embassy and Consulate websites of other nations to Australia for an alphabetical directory of list of contact addresses of overseas embassies in Australia.
Visa: Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (See address above) OSHC renewal: Contact Campus Central, UniSA.
Since 1 July 2007, the Australian Government has changed some rules for international students on a Student Visa. You can now vary your enrolment from semester to semester (or study period). You must ensure that each semester (or study period) you are enrolled in a minimum of one course in an internal mode (face to face) and you must complete your program within the duration specified on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document.
From 1 July 2007, an extension of a CoE is possible only in extenuating circumstances that is supported by written evidence, e.g. a medical certificate. For further information contact Learning Connection on your campus.
For further information, contact UI Learning Connection on your campus
Student visa regulations require that you attend at least 80% of your classes each study period and achieve satisfactory academic results. The University will monitor your academic performance in accordance with the Academic Review Policy.
The University's Academic Review Policy can be found in the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual 2007 - refer to sections 10.1 to 10.5.
You may change your program with the approval of the Program Directors concerned.
If you wish to change your program of study, it is your responsibility to check the fees that will be charged for your new program. You will need to pay fees that are applicable to the new program which may be more expensive than your first program.
Australian law requires the University to report all of the changes to your enrolment to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. This will happen automatically as soon as you are accepted into a new program.
You may need to get a new visa for your new program. It is important that you check your visa end date. The duration of the program might be different and, if your new program finishes later than the one you were previously enrolled in, your visa may need to be renewed.
If you require further information, please contact Learning Connection on your campus.
If you wish to transfer to another institution within the first 6 months of your study at UniSA you must have an offer letter from the institution you are transferring to. Your request to change to another University does not guarantee that UniSA will release you from your program of study if you have not completed the first 6 months of study at UniSA.
Release MAY be granted ONLY in exceptional circumstances. Please check procedures for changing to another University with staff at Learning Connection on your campus.
A Release Letter Request form can be found on the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) website.
When you transfer to another institution you may need to change your visa subclass or apply for a new visa if the duration of the program offered at another institution is longer than the duration of your current visa.
You may apply for a student visa while in Australia if you are already in Australia on a student visa.
Students from Assessment level 1 countries can apply for a student visa from within Australia while holding another temporary visa.
Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for approval.
Yes, all international students except AusAID students are eligible to work. You must follow these conditions:
Contact Learning Connection on your campus and your Program Director to confirm student status. Work rights visa forms are available from Learning Connection on your campus.
Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for approval.
You can enrol in an external, online and/or cross-institutional course only if you are enrolled in at least one course in an internal mode (face to face) in a study period. You must not enrol in more than 25% of your program in an external/online/cross-institutional mode over the duration of your program.
You must inform the University of your change of address within 7 days. This is a condition of your visa.
Lodge a Change of Address form with Campus Central on your campus or change your address via MyUniSA.
Visa conditions require that International Students under 18 years of age must have their accommodation and welfare arrangements approved by the University, unless they are living with an adult family member.
Contact Learning Connection on your campus for approval of your accommodation and welfare arrangements.
Failure to adhere to the conditions attached to your Student Visa may negatively affect your student visa. Your Student Visa may be cancelled due to non-compliance with your student visa conditions. If your Student Visa is cancelled, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship may impose a three year exclusion period on other visa applications to Australia such as a tourist visa, or a permanent residency visa.
If you fail to adhere to the conditions of your current Student Visa you may have difficulty returning to Australia at a later date to complete your study.
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